February brings relief for drivers at the pumps with 2p a litre drop

February ended three consecutive months of petrol and diesel price increases with 2p a litre coming off the average price of both fuels during the course of the month, data from RAC Fuel Watch reveals.

The average price of unleaded dropped to 120.14p from 122.34p and diesel to 122.86p from 125.08p following two major cuts from Britain’s ‘big four’ supermarkets made within days of each other. This was in response to calls for cuts from the RAC (8 Feb & 15 Feb) due to the falling price of both fuels on the wholesale market, which was itself triggered by a fall in the oil price. The cost of a barrel of Brent crude ended February 4% lower than at the start at $65.66 having dropped to a near three-month low of $61.46 in the middle of the month (13 February).

The fall in the oil price was caused by both an unexpected increase in fuel stocks in the United States and the reopening of the major Forties oil pipeline in the North Sea which had been closed for unplanned maintenance – with it open again, nearly half a billion extra barrels of oil a day are made available to the market.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “After a succession of fuel price rises taking petrol to its highest level in three years in January, motorists finally saw a reversal of fortune in February as a result of a lower oil price which made some significant cuts at the pumps possible.

“We commended the supermarkets for responding swiftly to our calls for pump price reductions, not least because we know what impact their pricing can have on other fuel retailers. But we do understand how much harder it can be for smaller retailers who don’t buy as frequently as the supermarkets to cut their prices as a result of sudden or short-term wholesale price changes. However, we are aware of some smaller retailers who pride themselves on having very low prices.

“The question for drivers now, of course, is what happens to prices next. While the pound has weakened a little against the dollar – which is important as fuel is traded in dollars – the oil price remains around $65. This has created some downward pressure on wholesale petrol and diesel prices. Whether this means there is scope for another forecourt price cut in the next few weeks remains to be seen and is something we will monitor extremely closely.”

It now costs on average £66.08 to fill the tank of a 55-litre family petrol car, or £67.57 if the car runs on diesel. The average price of filling up at a supermarket stands at £64.34 for petrol (116.98p per litre) and £65.75 for diesel (119.54p per litre).

Regional fuel price variation

While Wales recorded the largest drop in its average unleaded prices in February (down 2.65p through the month), the cheapest petrol was sold in the North East (119.08p per litre). The South East was once again the most expensive place to buy unleaded at 121.19p per litre.

Northern Ireland remains the cheapest place to buy diesel at an average of 121.76p per litre, contrasting with the South East that remains the most expensive location to purchase the fuel (123.68p per litre). Scotland recorded the largest fall in diesel prices this month, a drop of 2.55p (122.86p per litre).

February also saw a continuation of the phenomenon of supermarket-led ‘hyper local’ fuel price wars, where fuel is being sold at loss in a bid to win customers to their stores. For instance, in Taunton in Somerset three supermarkets have been trying to outdo each other to attract drivers, leading to prices as low as £108.7 for unleaded (Tuesday 6 March).

First formed in 1897 the RAC has been looking after the needs of its members and championing the interests of motorists for more than 120 years.

Today it has more than eight million members and is one of the UK’s most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, insurance, buying a used car, vehicle inspections and checks, legal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information – the RAC offers a solution for all motoring needs. The RAC is committed to making motoring easier, safer, more affordable and more enjoyable for drivers and road users.

The RAC is the motorist’s champion and campaigns to support the interests of its members and UK motorists at a national level. This includes voicing concerns about the increasing cost of motoring, particularly the price of fuel and the high level of tax levied on it, advancing levels of road safety, and supporting the needs of all drivers, from young to old.

The RAC’s annual Report on Motoring – first published in 1989 – provides a clear insight into the concerns and issues facing today’s motorists.

For the very latest news on UK fuel prices, check RAC Fuel Watch or follow #racfuelwatch on Twitter. RAC Fuel Watch is a comprehensive guide to the latest UK unleaded petrol and diesel prices – both at the wholesale level and at the pump. RAC Fuel Watch analyses how prices changed through the previous month and compares the most recent prices with those from three, six and 12 months before.

Key facts:

RAC patrols fix four out of five vehicles at the roadside and on average within 30 minutes

RAC vans carry more than 500 parts and tools to get members’ vehicles going again

The average price of petrol and diesel rose January 2018 for the third consecutive month. Petrol has gone up 4p a litre since October 2017. Retailers could ease motorists’ misery with slight pump reductions